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National Railway Museum
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National Railway Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
National Railway Museum
4.5
18,895 reviews
#2 of 338 things to do in York
Speciality Museums • History Museums
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10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
FREE ENTRY Home to iconic locomotives and an unrivalled collection of engineering brilliance, we celebrate the past, present and future of innovation on the railways. Dedicated to igniting our visitors’ curiosity about the people, places and engineering marvels behind the railways, we put our passion for amazing stories into everything we do.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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What is Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best?
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Address
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
18,897 reviews
Excellent
13,776
Very good
4,065
Average
807
Poor
153
Terrible
96
ragman1960
Dukinfield, UK395 contributions
Wonderful History of the Railway.
May 2023 • Couples
A wonderful trip through the history of the railway, not only United Kingdom but other nations, lots of locomotives and trains and a cafe, toilets and library with so much to see and do, fabulous.
Written 11 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mongreladam
Watford, UK474 contributions
All aboard!
May 2023 • Solo
Even with half of it closed until next year this is truly a train geeks dream! So many locos on display in the halls and a priceless collection of railway memorabilia to satisfy even a non-train enthusiast

The staff were very friendly and helpful, the exhibits have an abundance of information and I really can’t wait to see it next year!
Written 11 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sevans
4 contributions
A very interesting visit
Apr 2023 • Friends
I really enjoyed our visit to the Railway museum, and was actually surprised how much I loved it! A very interesting place and lovely to see the exhibits, with all the history attached. I would definitely recommend.
Written 10 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Carel T
Vlaardingen, The Netherlands14 contributions
A collection of trains for the fans.
May 2023
In a large hall you can see a great number of trains used since 1830. The size of those engines makes a big impression.
Unfortunately no telling the story of the railways with a chronological timeline, so the displayed models give a hap-snatch view of their development in time.
The exhibit of the Flying Scotsman was a little disappointing, as the rest of the artifacts stored there.
Written 7 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Claire p
Leeds, UK8 contributions
Appalling customer service skills from a frontline staff member/first impressions count
Apr 2023 • Family
Unfortunately our entry to the museum put a dampener on our whole experience. We pre-booked tickets online and on arrival went to the appropriate lane to enter where we met an extremely rude lady who was on the older side and had slightly ginger hair. I had my booking email open on my phone but it had no QR code. I asked where the code was and in a very abrupt manner was told I had to go in the other queue. She was extremely abrupt and didn’t want to help in anyway. If staff don’t have the required customer service skills they should not be put in front facing positions. Very annoyed that we made a donation online because I really felt like asking for my money back given the appalling attitude of this woman.
Written 30 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alyson A
10 contributions
Chuffing great
Apr 2023
More interesting than you might think, especially where the trains have been sliced in half so that you can really see the sophistication of the engineering.
Written 29 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ian R
Norwich, UK22 contributions
Wait until after the refurbishment is finished - in 2025!
Apr 2023
We have visited the NRM at about 10 year intervals over the last 30 years and were looking forward to seeing the outside exhibits and the Station Hall with the Royal Carriages and the Brief Encounter Cafe. We were shocked to find these closed until 2025 for 'improvements'. Very sad to see only a third of the museum. If we had known we would have delayed our visit 200 miles from home until after the 2025 reopening.
Written 28 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sylvia646
Wakefield, UK144 contributions
Avoid visiting until museum is fully open again
Apr 2023 • Couples
We have visited the NRM many times before but this time we’d booked specially for the Flying Scotsman Event only to find out the locomotive itself was actually outside waiting to depart and we could only see it through a tiny window! Very misleading advertising on the NRM Website and I can only assume they wanted people to come along and buy overpriced merchandise which was still on sale!
Aside from that, both the engineering works and the Station Hall are both closed at the moment meaning the main hall seems very overcrowded. So basically there’s only a third of the museum open. We’ve spent many great days here, especially when our boys were younger so it’s a shame that today we left feeling disappointed and disgruntled. Just as well that York itself is a great place to visit but I would avoid the NRM until it’s fully open again.
Written 27 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
S B
London, United Kingdom144 contributions
Long Awaited Trip
Apr 2023
Plenty to see for rail fans and family's. lots of loco's and rail memorabilia. Unfortunately part of it was closed when we went but couldn't change our plans as it was part of a special occasion. We spent over 3hrs there.
Written 23 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Matthew
Kendal, UK1 contribution
trains
Apr 2023 • Solo
i would normally give it 5 star rating but i gave it 3 because the other part of the museum was closed it will not open till some point in 2025 but. still had a great time
Written 16 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM (York) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum is open:
  • Wed - Sun 10:00 - 17:00
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking National Railway Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 6 National Railway Museum tours on Tripadvisor
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